So, you would like to join our Fraternity and don’t know how to get started? Well, as we say, 2B1 Ask1!
Many are surprised that no one has ever asked them to become a Mason. They may even feel that the Masons in their town do not think they are “good enough” to join. But it does not work that way. For hundreds of years, Masons have been forbidden to ask others to join the Fraternity. We can talk to friends about Masonry. We can tell them about what Masonry does. We can tell them why we enjoy it. But we cannot ask, and much less pressure, anyone to join.
There is a good reason for that. It is not that we are trying to be an elite and exclusive group, but becoming a Mason is a very serious thing. Joining Masonry is making a serious life commitment to live in a certain way, Freemasonry is a way of life. We have listed most of them above — to live with honor and integrity, to respect the laws and Constitution of our Country, to be willing to share with and care about others, to trust each other, and to place ultimate trust in God. No one should be “talked into” making such a decision.
So, when a man decides he wants to be a Mason, he asks a Mason for a petition or application. He fills it out and gives it to a Mason who will present it to the local lodge. The Master of the lodge will appoint a committee to visit with the man and his family, find out a little about him and why he wants to be a Mason, tell him and his family about Masonry, and answer any questions. The investigative committee reports to the lodge, and the lodge votes on the petition. If the vote is affirmative, the lodge will contact the candidate to set the date for his initiation, that is receive the first degree or Entered Apprentice degree. There are a total of three degrees. After the candidate completes all three degrees, by learning the basics of the Craft, he becomes a Master Mason and a full member of the fraternity.
A man wishing to petition the lodge and the international brotherhood of Freemasonry for consideration for admission may complete the proper application and join us for dinner in order to meet three Master Masons willing to sign his petition. Some may already know a Mason and may request a petition through him. You can also download our Petition here.
- You must be at least 18 years of age.
- You must believe in the existence of God.
- You must be uninfluenced by mercenary or other unworthy motives.
- You must be uninfluenced by improper solicitation.
- You must freely and voluntarily offer yourself as a candidate for the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry.
- You must sincerely wish to be of service to your fellow creatures.
- You must be in possession of sufficient means to meet the charges of your admission and the support of your membership in the craft without detriment to your family.
- You must cheerfully conform to the ancient usages and established customs of the fraternity.
Our ceremonies involve no hazing, horseplay or physical mistreatment of any kind. Candidates find the initiation ritual a solemn, beautiful, and moving experience. Every word is spoken from memory, as has been our practice from Masonry’s earliest days. The ritual itself has remained virtually unchanged for nearly three centuries. And finally, every man in the Lodge is a friend – and a brother.
We accept men from all walks of life who demonstrate upright conduct and acknowledge a belief in a Deity. Illinois Freemasonry is a Fraternal Order inculcating the precepts of equality, charity, tolerance, fellowship, and brotherly love among its members. If you are a female, please do not fill out this form as we follow the Ancient Free & Accepted Masonry tradition that allows only men among its ranks.
We recognize other Masonic related organizations for women such as the Eastern Star, Job’s Daughters or the Rainbow Girls Orders. For more information please use our contact form.
Thank you for expressing an interest in our ancient and honorable Fraternity!
Through our timeless Masonic experiences, quality men of sound moral character receive significant value from being a member of our ancient and honorable fraternity.
FELLOWSHIP (Brotherly Love)
* A feeling of belonging and social attachment with faithful friends and Brothers who care about you and champion your well-being and success on life’s journey
* Connection to the 60,000 Master Masons in Illinois Masonry and the millions of Brothers around the world who, informed by “The Right of Visitation” (a Landmark of Freemasonry), are ready to recognize our Mystic Tie and extend our privileges
* Peace of mind associated with the old maxim, “I am my Brother’s keeper, and we will take care of our own”
LEARNING (Masonic Truth)
* Access to the “Wisdom of the Ages” provided through our unique Masonic degrees (educational process) and other periodic Lodge and District educational / training events
* Personal growth and development from acquiring new skills and improving current abilities (i.e. public speaking, project management, coaching, leading men to deliver results, written and verbal communication, inspiring people, etc.)
If that describes your interest in Freemasonry, then we welcome you to learn more about membership in our Illinois Masonic Family.
After sending a petition the Secretary or a member of our Lodge will contact you to make an appointment to talk about your interest in Freemasonry. In that conversation, you can ask questions about our Fraternity and the Brother will likely offer you the opportunity to meet some of the members of the local Lodge.
Thank you again for reaching out to us.
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